Key Free Agents w/ Contract Estimates:
Cliff Avril, OLB (25) - 5 Years / 44 Million / 18m Guaranteed
My estimate is based on Lamar Woodley's deal with a few tweaks. At just 25, Avril would be smart to have his next deal expire before he's on the wrong side of 30, that way he can cash in one one more large deal before a smaller, short-term deal to close out his career. This may seem like a lot, but we are probably looking at 5 or so mil a year for Spencer (if you can believe that) if we resign him, so for 4 mil more, we get a proven pass rusher.
Ben Grubbs, OG (27) - 6 Years / 42 Million / 16m Guaranteed
This estimate is based on Davin Joseph's deal from last year, which is to say a very talented guard with 2 deals left in his career. Nicks is the dream here, but we can save 1-2 mil per year on Grubbs vs Nicks (in my estimation), and we're going to use that money for the next FA.
Terrell Thomas, CB (26) - 2 Years / 6.5 Million / 3m Guaranteed
This estimate is based on Brent Grimes' deal with the Falcons last year. Thomas is coming off a knee injury and there will be a lot of questions about how he can bounce back. With these type of injuries, one year may not be enough to make a full recovery, so he opts for a 2 year deal so try and raise his stock back up and still be well under 30 to cash in.
To read my thoughts on these players as far as their play, you can visit my previous thread on
5 Upcoming Free Agents I Covet.
The Draft
1st Round #14 - David DeCastro, G, Stanford
Protect the franchise, Tony Romo. This team is rebuilding, it's not a dirty word, you can use it. It should be built from the inside out, ignore the shiny objects in your side-view mirror.
2nd Round #45 - Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
Some says he's a better college player than Ras-I Dowling was, so there's a chance he sneaks up but even with Terrell Thomas coming in, don't let that keep you from bringing in a CB with 1st round tallent.
3rd Round #83 - Ben Jones, C, Georgia
Smart, consistent, nasty and a face only a mother could love. I'd be pleased as punch to see him in Dallas.
4th Round #114 - Derek Wolfe, DE, Cincinnati
Pass rushing DE that may have some problems against the run. Can be a situational guy early, hopefully bulks up enough to be more effective as an anchor.
5th Round #145 - Chris Rainey, WR/RB/KR/PR, Florida
Rainey is Mr. Everything, but what he would bring to the Cowboys is explosiveness and versatility. Plenty of special teams experience, and blazing speed. I won't compare him to Sproles because Sproles is thicker, but he's the kind of guy that can make guys miss, and if he's somehow matched up on a LB, you can say goodnight.
6th Round #176 - Korey Williams, ILB, Southern Miss
Before tearing his ACL (This would make 3 ILB's with former ACL injuries, now that I think about it... probably not a good thing), Williams was off to a sizzling start - 23 tackles, 1 sack, 3 picks (with 1 returned for TD) and a couple of passes defended... all in just 4 games.
6th Round #TBD - Miles Burris, OLB, San Diego State
Situational pass rusher that has a nonstop motor and his fair share of athleticism. He's not an every-down guy, but at the very least he can play special teams and give us a guy to rotate in. Has the frame to add a bit of bulk while retaining his quickness. 17.5 sacks in the last 2 years, and he's played some decent teams like TCU, Michigan and Boise.
7th Round #207 - Hebron Fangupo, NT, BYU
A very, large man at 6'1" 330lbs with a lot of raw strength that currently plays the 5 technique (DE) in BYU's 3-4 defense. Obviously playing out of position, mostly because he was a late arrival after transferring from USC just last year.
Thoughts welcome, of course.